Lung cancer introduce

Lung cancer introduce

Lung cancer is the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells in one or both of the lungs. While normal lung tissue cells reproduce and develop into healthy lung tissue, these abnormal cells reproduce rapidly and never grow into normal lung tissue. Lumps of cancer cells (tumors) then form and disrupt the lung, making it difficult to function properly. More than 87% of lung cancers are smoking related. However, not all smokers develop lung cancer. Quitting smoking reduces an individual's risk significantly, although former smokers remain at greater risk for lung cancer than people who never smoked. Exposure to other carcinogens such as asbestos and radon gas also increases an individual's risk, especially when combined with cigarette or cigar smoking. More Americans die each year from lung cancer than from breast, prostate, and colorectal cancers combined. Approximately 172,570 new cases of lung cancer will be diagnosed in 2005, accounting for 13% of all new cancer cases. An estimated 163,510 Americans will die in 2005 from lung cancer, accounting for 28% of all cancer deaths. Annually, lung cancer kills more men than prostate cancer and more women than breast cancer. While overall cancer incidence rates are declining, lung cancer incidence rates among women continue to rise. Between 1960 and 1990, deaths from lung cancer among women increased by more than 400%. An estimated 79,560 women in the U.S. will die this year from lung cancer. An estimated 93,010 men in the U.S. will die this year from lung cancer. Lung cancer is the second most common cancer among African American men and women, and kills more African Americans than any other cancer. African American men are at least 50% more likely to develop lung cancer than Caucasian men. The mortality rate of African American males with lung cancer is 100.8 per 100,000 people, compared to 70.1 for Caucasian males. The incidence of lung cancer among African American males is 117.2 per 100,000 people, compared to 77.9 of Caucasian males. African American women have the highest incidence rates of lung cancer followed by Caucasians, Asian Pacific Islanders, Hispanics, and American Indians/Native Alaskans. Similar to AIDS in the early 1980s, lung cancer patients report feeling ashamed to tell their family, friends, and others that they have been diagnosed with lung cancer because they feel that they will be blamed. For more information about lung cancer incidence and mortality for men and women, by state and nationally, download American Cancer Society’s “Cancer Facts & Figures 2005”. The document can also be found on the American Cancer Society’s Web site. (Current Revision Date - 8/2005) For more information about African Americans and lung cancer visit the Center for Disease Controls African-Americans and Tobacco statistics. For more information about Hispanics and lung cancer visit the Center for Disease Controls Hispanics and Tobacco statistics. Sources American Cancer Society (2005). Cancer Facts & Figures - 2005. Atlanta, GA. American Cancer Society (2004). Cancer Facts & Figures for African Americans 2000 - 2002. Atlanta, GA. Centers for Disease Control (2005). African Americans and Tobacco / Hispanics with Tobacco.